Record entries for the 2006 World Rowing Championships

The number of athletes taking part in these championships is over 1’000 and represents a staggering 28% increase from last year’s participation. Nations will compete in a total of 400 boats in 27 boat classes (including 4 adaptive rowing events for rowers with a disability).

The highest number of entries comes in the Lightweight men’s double where 30 crews will line up for Monday’s heats. There are also high entries in the men’s singles (25 boats) and the men’s double sculls (26 entries) and a very good entry for the men’s eight with 16 crews. 2006 Rowing World Cup winners Germany travel to Great Britain with a team of 80 athletes. North American representation is also huge with an 84-athlete strong team for USA and 63 rowers from Canada.

Adaptive rowing is also highly represented at this year’s event with 41 crews entered in all four events. This represents over double the number of entries from the 2004 figures, and promises a great improvement in the depth of competition in the run towards the first Paralympic Rowing Regatta in 2008 in Beijing.

“We are delighted to see the increasing participation in our events over the past ten years. This year’s entries are the highest they have ever been, and also include 20 nations supported by the FISA Development Programme which is very encouraging” said FISA President Denis Oswald.

The 2006 World Rowing Championships get off to a flying start with a fully staged Opening Ceremony on Saturday 19 August at 7:30 pm (UK Time) including a big firework display to send off the event at 9:15 pm. Racing begins on Sunday 20 August at 9:30 hrs UK Time with A Group heats.

Semi-finals and A Finals will be broadcast on several channels world-wide including BBC (Great Britain), RAI (Italy), RTR (Russia), NOS (The Netherlands), Hungarian TV, ZDF/ARD (Germany), Slovenia, Estonia as well as Sky New Zealand, Fox Australia, WCSN United States and CBC Canada. See local TV listings for details. Eurosport will broadcast the full transmission live on Thursday 24 August from 12:00 to 15:30 CET, Friday 25 August from 12:00 to 14:00 CET, Saturday 26 August from 12:00 to 15:00 CET and Sunday 27 August from 13:00 to 16:30 CET. The event will also be streamed on internet through the World Championships Sports Network (www.wcsn.com) and, in Europe, on www.eurosport.com